Review: Hidden in Havana

While Cuba is not off limits to most of the world, it is to Americans. So when given the opportunity to review a book set in Havana, I jumped at the chance. Cuba, and Havana in particular, has always fascinated me. Latour's book, Hidden Havana, did not disappoint.

Years ago, before the revolution, a cache of diamonds was hidden in the wall of an apartment in Havana. Now, that hider of the diamonds wants them back. Though he is unable to go himself, he sends a fellow Viet Nam veteran to retrieve the treasure. Posing as Canadian tourists, Sean and Marina have to figure out if the diamonds are still where they were left, and if so, how to get them. No easy task given that Elena Miranda and her brother, Pablo, are living in the apartment where the diamonds were hidden. And, Sean and Marina are not the only ones looking for the diamonds. Things are further complicated when Pablo is found murdered. Readers then meet Capt Felix Trujillo, who is assigned the murder investigation. While the basic premise of the book is a straight forward treasure hunt, there are many complicating factors woven throughout. Why was Pablo murdered? Who is the person that sent Sean and Marina to Cuba? Why were the diamonds left behind in the first place?

There were several aspects of this book that surprised me. Because Cuba has been under the rule of a Communist dictatorship, I had many ideas about life in Cuba. I assumed that people would be very suspicious of outsiders. Therefore, I was surprised with how easily Sean and Marina were able to gain access to the apartment and befriend Pablo and Elena. I assumed that their technology would be years behind the United States, so I found it interesting how up to date the investigative methods used were. These are just a couple of examples of my preconceived ideas about Cuba being so very wrong.

Latour, a Cuban expatriate, has done a wonderful job of bringing Cuba to the rest of the world through his work. While reading Hidden in Havana, I was right there with Sean and Marina. I could see the giant ficus trees, smell the food and generally bask in the atmosphere. The mystery was a good, but the trip to the forbidden Cuba was great.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Caryn St. Clair

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Hidden in Havana

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.